20 The Canadian Forestry Journal. 



the Cypress Hills is an absolute necessity, and such an elevation 

 existing in the midst of a prairie country is one of its most 

 important assets. 



The growth of population in the district in question will 

 show the increasing necessity for supplies of v;ood and water. 

 At the time the census of 1901 was taken the whole population 

 of this district was given as 32,542, while the census of 1906 

 showed a poptilation of 93,330. The popvilation of some of the 

 principal towns is given as follows by the census of 1906: — 

 Calgary, 11,967; High River, 1,018; Macleod, 1,144; Leth- 

 bridge, 2,313; Cardston, 1,001; Raymond, 1,568; Medicine 

 Hat, 3,020; Maple Creek, 687; Swift Current, 554; Moose Jaw. 

 6,249. Most of these towns have municipal water supplies. 

 Other and new^er towns and villages are growing up and will 

 require similar systems. 



The wood reported as having been cut on the eastern slopes 

 of the Rocky Mountains last year was 31,600,000 feet board 

 measure, 28,037 cords of wood, 336,860 fence posts, 1,336,700 

 fence rails. This was all for local consumption. The increase 

 of population will increase the demand, and, while the fuel 

 supply may be largely provided for from the coal mines, their 

 development will necessitate the use of large quantities of 

 timber. 



These are the general conditions of the district and they 

 present a variety of problems for solution that are of great 

 practical and scientific interest. The following is an outline 

 of the investigations which are considered necessary to a 

 thorough understanding of these conditions and a clear grasp 

 of the principles of their administration. 



1. The protection and proper management of the forests 

 on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains and the Cypress 

 Hills is a necessary part of any such policy. Since the year 

 1903 fire rangers have been appointed and have been patrolling 

 the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and no destructive 

 fires have since occurred. It is proposed to strengthen the 

 system of rangers and possibly a chain of posts may be estab- 

 lished along the lower timber line between which a constant 

 patrol will be kept up during the danger season. In addition 

 to protection a study should be made of the forest covering, 

 its effect on precipitation and runoif, its condition, the results 

 of its removal and the improvement of methods so as to prevent 

 damaging consequences, and methods of reproduction and re- 

 forestation. A trained forester has been appointed and a begin- 

 ning has been made towards a study of this extensive tract. 

 During the past 3'ear a fire ranging service has been established 

 on the Cypress Hills and a thorough inspection has been made 

 of them with the object of establishing a forest reserve. 



